Today In Charleston History: July 10

Captain Robert Sandfordentered what is now Charleston harbor and sailed up river, which he named Ashley, for Lord Proprietor Anthony Ashley Cooper.

1804

One day before his duel with Alexander Hamilton in New Jersey, Vice President Aaron Burr wrote a long letter to his daughter, Theodosia, in Charleston:

Theodosia Burr Alston by John Vanderlyn – New York Historical Society

Having lately written my will, and given my private letters and papers in charge of you, I have no other direction to give you on the subject but to request you burn all such as, if by accident made public, would injure any person. This is more particularly applicable to the letters of my female correspondents.

I am indebted to you, my dearest Theodosia, for a very great portion of the happiness which I have enjoyed in this life. You have completely satisfied all that my heart and affections had hoped or even wished.

Burr then wrote a letter to his son-in-law, Joseph Alston, explaining the reason for his instructions about his property:

Joseph Alston:

I have called out General Hamilton, and we meet to-morrow morning. Vanness will give you the particulars. The preceding has been written in contemplation of this event. If it should be my lot to fall … I shall live in you and your son. I commit to you all that is most dear to me – my reputation and my daughter.